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Of Service To His Community

Officer Thomas P. Berry, Jr. "TJ" loved his work as a police officer. He enjoyed working in the community and especially enjoyed helping young kids who he would see on the streets. If TJ saw them just wandering around, he would advise them to go home in order to stay out of trouble. Being a police officer was his passion and dream.

Memories Are Gifts from God

Time does not take away pain; however, time gives you a chance to put things in perspective. Questions still come up as to why so soon, we remember to trust God and His plan for our lives. TJ is missed so much with a legacy that is ongoing. TJ's presence through the life he lived and the love he shared is tremendous and eternal. We are thankful that God allowed him to be a part of our lives. We cannot turn back the hands of time; however, with everyday there is a new beginning of the meaning of life. TJ would say live, love, and laugh but most of all Trust God because God has a plan. In memory of a wonderful person, Mr. Thomas Peyton Berry, Jr. "TJ" with love!

The Thomas Peyton Berry, Jr. “TJ” Memorial Scholarship was established in September of 2011in memory of TJ by his parents, Thomas Peyton Berry, Sr. and Sylvia M. Berry.The scholarship is established to keep a ray of light burning out of tragedy, to thank those who poured out words of encouragement and support to the family, to continue in TJ’s commitment to help others, to recognize and give tribute to the men and women who serve their communities and country, and through, faith, hope, and love, give honor to God.The scholarship is administered through the Henrico Education Foundation in Henrico Virginia. The scholarship is created toencourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities in public service such as law enforcement (police officers, detectives, special agents through a major in Criminal Justice), nursing, forensic science, fire science, ROTC in college with the goal of pursuing a military career, EMT, EMS, and Paramedic.A scholarship in the amount of $1,200.00 will be awarded annually to an eligible graduating senior of Henrico County Public Schools.

In Memory of TJ “Ber” Berry by Investigator A. M. Shovlin

It’s hard to know where to begin when thinking about
my friend. He was not only one of the best officers I had the blessing to know,
but one of the best men that I knew. I remember the first time that I met TJ,
or Ber as I knew him. It didn’t take much for us to make an instant friendship.
That was the way it was with everyone that knew Ber though. He was always
friendly with people and could make just about anyone laugh. He taught me to
always be ready and to make sure to take my seatbelt off
in a parking lot in case I have to jump out, which is a practice that I have
today even without thinking about it. Ber and I worked side by side in the West
End just prior to when the shifts were split into platoons. It was when he
worked the West End that we got the ever famous “West End Drug Bust” that would
become one of my favorite pictures and stories to tell. When I was in my
accident in 2008 that required me to ride to the hospital in an ambulance it
was Ber that was the first one that I saw and heard say, “Hey Munchkin”. That
was all it took for me to start crying again, but I knew that everything was
okay because my friend was there and he would make it okay. That’s what Ber did
every day at work and otherwise, he made things okay. When you were down, mad,
confused or whatever he made you laugh. It’s his smile and his infectious
laughter that I think of when I think of him. I miss him every day and the
sting of his loss is still very present as I know it is for the rest of his
friends and even more so for his family. There is a great hole where Ber was
that will never be filled, but I am thankful for the time that I did have with
Ber. He was a great man and great police officer and it truly was an honor to
serve with him and be one of the lucky few to be his friend.

"Policeman's Prayer"

When I start my tour of duty God, Wherevercrime may be, as I walk the darkened streetsalone, Let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding with both theyoung and old. Let me listen with attention untiltheir story's told. Let me never make a judgmentin a rash or callous way, but let me hold mypatience let each man have his say.

Lord if some dark and dreary night, I must givemy life, Lord, with your everlasting love protectmy children and my wife.